The blaring music could be heard from the hallway in the bowels of Saputo Stadium, and when the door to the Impact’s dressing room finally opened, it was Ambroise Oyongo singing at the top of his lungs and dancing to the methodic beat, in a world of his own.

Winning, it’s wonderful. And there’s no better antidote for what ails a team.

“I can’t say it’s more fun to get the win like that, but it liberates a lot of the anxiety and pressure,” Impact midfielder and captain Patrice Bernier said following his team’s 2-1 victory over expansion side Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon before 17,144 spectators in its Saputo home debut.

“You know you’re playing at home, against 10 men,” Bernier continued. “You want to get that ‘W’ to get it out of the way and break the ice. The shoulders are a bit lighter today. The first win is always important.”

The Impact, it seems, won’t do anything conventional this season. After witnessing leads in two games slip away late, it was Montreal that finally turned the tables when it appeared destined to battle to yet another draw.

Quebec City native Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who replaced Dominic Oduro in the 82nd minute, got the heel of his right foot on a Hernan Bernadello shot from outside the box in injury time. The ball deflected off the post and past the outstretched arm of Atlanta goalkeeper Alec Kann for the Impact’s first victory in six Major League Soccer games.

There was speculation on social media last week the seldom-used Jackson-Hamel, only 23, could be on tenuous footing. Although he became the seventh Academy product to sign an MLS pro deal in August 2014, he was limited to seven regular-season games last year and had previously played but one minute this season as a late substitute against New York City FC.

Perhaps he has now received a stay of execution while sending a message to management.

“For me, scoring goals is the main purpose. It’s my job,” Jackson-Hamel said. “When I come on the pitch, it’s the only thing I think about. It feels amazing and it’s a relief for the team.”

With the win, the Impact now sits at 1-2-3, the Philadelphia Union remaining the lone MLS squad still seeking its first victory. Coincidentally, Montreal’s next game is at Philadelphia, Saturday at 1.

The Impact joined MLS in 2012, yet this marked the fourth time in team history it had gone five games without a victory. Montreal started 0-4-1 in 2012, and 0-3-2 in both 2014 and ’15.

“Sometimes if you start slow in a season it makes it a little easier to stay focused,” said Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush, who faced six shots but only one on target. “Last year, we got off to a good start and there were dips in the middle of the season because we got a little too comfortable.

“Maybe the points total at the start will be a blessing in disguise and we’ll continue to push and push and have a better summer.”

Atlanta, now 2-2-2 — a record that belies its infancy — lost on the road for the first time this season, yet still managed to open the scoring in the 40th minute. Kenwyne Jones took advantage of porous central defence play by Laurent Ciman and Hassoun Camara, taking a pass from Hector Villalba, who capitalized on a weak clearance by Bush.

But the match turned during first half injury time, after Matteo Mancosu was tripped in the box by Atlanta centre back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. Referee Alan Kelly pointed to the penalty spot before issuing a red card to Gonzalez Pirez, who became the third Atlanta player ejected this season.

Ignacio Piatti, who returned to the lineup after missing two games with injuries to his hip and groin, converted the penalty for his second goal this season, providing the Impact with renewed optimism.

Piatti clearly was the most dominant player on the pitch on this sun-splashed afternoon. He controlled the ball with a masterful touch, setting up dangerous opportunities early and displaying tremendous chemistry with Oduro.

“He’s very dynamic and we know what he can do. He’s like our pilot,” Oduro said. “For us to have the main captain back, it was good. He was able to organize our attack and we were able to get some confidence. Knowing he’s there, his presence alone gave us a little bit of momentum. We know what he can do with the ball. It helped us in this game.”

With Atlanta reduced to 10 men, the Impact predictably controlled play over the final 45 minutes, logging 68.2 per cent of the second-half possession while directing 13 of its 22 shots at Kann.

Nonetheless, it took a late goal from an unlikely hero to get the Impact off the schneid. It marked the third time this season Montreal came back from a one-goal deficit.

“It’s hard to win games in this league,” Impact head coach Mauro Biello said.

The Impact lost central defender Victor Cabrera in the 18th minute with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Chris Duvall.

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